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Defenders of Wildlife Makes Good on Grizzly Compensation Promise

(08/12/1997) - Missoula, MT -- Defenders of Wildlife, a national wildlife
organization that has historically been committed to the conservation of large
predators, today announced it has paid a total of $1772.92 to three Montana
ranchers for livestock that were killed by grizzly bears in May and June 1997.
Defenders recently assumed responsibility for compensating livestock owners for
grizzly kills.

"Grizzlies don't kill livestock very often, but when they do,
it's important for conservationists to step forward and help out those who
suffer financially," said Hank Fischer, Defenders' Northern Rockies
representative. "It just makes sense. When private landowners are forced to
shoulder the economic burden for endangered species programs created to benefit
the public-at-large, it can create animosity toward the animal that can lead to
illegal killing."

Defenders has been operating a compensation fund for wolf
predation since 1987, and has paid over $35,000 to nearly 40 ranchers during
that time. In July, the national conservation organization with more than
220,000 members and supporters assumed responsibility for the grizzly
compensation program that had previously been administered by the Great Bear
Foundation. Defenders' program was expanded to cover the entire area surrounding
Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness area, including both the
Blackfeet and Flathead Reservations.

According to Fischer, who administers both of Defenders'
compensation funds, "Establishing a credible and reliable compensation program
can increase landowner tolerance for endangered species and significantly
improve prospects for grizzly recovery."

Here's how the program works: If a landowner suspects that a
grizzly has killed his livestock, he should cover the remains with a tarp and
call either state or federal officials. If these officials verify that a grizzly
caused the loss, Defenders then contacts the landowner and works with him to
ascertain the fair market value of the livestock. Once the value is agreed upon,
Defenders then cuts the landowner a check for that amount. "We do our best to
get a check to the livestock producer within two weeks of receiving verification
of a loss," said Fischer. If there is any dispute over the value of the
livestock, Defenders relies on the judgment of the county extension agent. There
is a $2,000 cap on compensation for any single animal.

Defenders' Board of Directors has authorized expenditures of up
to $25,000 until a permanent fund is established. The non-profit organization
hopes to establish a permanent fund of approximately $50,000 to cover grizzly
damage, which averages about $5,000 per year. People interested in supporting
this compensation fund through a contribution should write to: Grizzly Fund,
Defenders of Wildlife, 1101 Fourteenth St. NW, Suite 1400, Washington, DC 20005.

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Contact(s):

Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270

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Bears die when they get into trouble with people’s garbage, livestock, when they are hit by cars and trains or illegally killed. By preventing these conflicts we can keep bears alive and on the road to recovery.